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STATES PATE 0F 10E.

.'iNo. P. MoDowiiLL, or SUMMIT, PENNSYLVANIA.

MACHINE FOR sAW'iNs AND sPL'ITT'ING TIMBER.

specication of Letters Patent No. 1,721, dated August 12, 18210.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN P. lIoDowELL, of Summit, in the county of Cambria and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Machine for Sawing and .Splitting Timber and other Materials; which is described as follows, reference being had to the annex-ed drawings of the same, making part of this specification. I

Figure l is a perspective view of the machine. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of Ithe rollers and cranks. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the splitters R and springs S and hole T, hereafter described.

Similar letters refer to similar parts in the figures. p

This machine consists of a suitable frame A of proper size and strength composed of two parallel sills A1 A2 framed together by cross sills A3 into which 'are mortis'ed and tenoned four posts l, l, l, l, and into these two parallel rails 2, 2, above the sills. Across the middle of this main frame A is placed another frame B composed of two parallel horizontal timbers B1 B2 united by cross timbers B3 B4 and let into the before mentioned sills at right angles thereto, which may be termed the splitting frame. `At each end of the main frame A is placed a railway and rest C1 C2 for the logs, each composed of two parallel timbers 5, 5, set edgewise across the sills at right angles thereto; the upper edges of the parts placed vover the sills called the rest C2 is made horizontal and the upper edges of the parts which project beyond the sills and which are'termed the ways C1, are inclined planes, the inclination being downward toward the saw, over which a car D travels on which the log 6 to be sawed is placed and containing between them a propelling roller E, Fig. 2, turned by a crank for bringing forward the log to the saw and a rest F and a stop G with a turning button H at the side, and an inclined board I leading from the rest C2 to the splitting frame for conveying the logs thereto..

Between the before-mentioned posts l,l,1, 1, and above the sills is placed a see-saw frame K, whose axis which passes through the center thereof turns in boxes 7, 7, on the parallel rails 22 before described; it is composed of two parallel timbers K, K, united by suitable rounds or cross timbers and grooved lengthwise as at 88, for the axles g, g, of a weight vcar L to move in for shifting a weight from one end of the .saw frame to the other, as it rises and falls. At each end of the saw frame is a revolving axle M on which is fixed a circular vsaw N and a fixed and a loose pulley P1 P2 which axles or shafts beside revolving with the saws do also move with them to and from the logs in a curve line of a radius equal to the distance that the saws are placed from the fixed center, and it is on account of this latter movement vof the saws that their centers may be called shifting centers. On the fixed center are placed three pulleys, one of rwhi'chP5 is for the band l0 leading to the propelling power and the other two are for the bands ll and 12 passing around theV pulleys -on the saw axles M, one of the latter bands being crossed. The weight car L before mentioned runs back and forth in the grooves S, 8, of the saw frame 'as it tilts to the right and left always running toward the lowest end, its purpose being t'o throw whatever weight may be necessary alternately on the two saws, z'. e., at all-times on the one that is operating. The rollers and cranks E are intended to run the logs endwise the lengths required and have a segn nient cut from said rollersrso as to iiatten a part of them to allow the logs to rest on the rest bars F. The bumping blocks or stops G are for thelogs to bump against orstop when run forward by the flattened rollers E, they are placedon the inner ends of rail tracks 'at such distance from the saws as the required length to be cut. The buttons H are perforated to admitlevers or bars Z to pass through them and may be turned down so as t'o be out of the way when a log is to be put in and turned up after it is on. The perforations or holes in them admit the levers Z, which are to press the logs or poles (not having sufiicient weight in themselves) 'upon the rest bars F to render them steady if 'under the action of the saws. kThe car D supporting the outer ends of the logs and running on the railways should be four wheeled. To bring forward a log to be cut n, the crank of roller E is turned, this moves the log until it strikes against the stop Gr when its motion is arrested and the machine being in operation the saw frame is tilted and the circular saw applied to the log which Y soon cuts it in two parts, one of which (the short part cut) rolls down the inclined board I to the splitting frame. While this operation wasV going on the other saw was raised out of the way and its motion stopped by shifting the band to the loose pulley and the log under it brought forward in the same manner as that under the other saw just mentioned. The band is put into gear and the saw frame againtilted which brings said raised saw down upon the log, which is cutV in the same way, the weight having rundown to the other end of the saw frame and thus increased the weight of the saw. The end of this log being cut rolls down the inclined board I to the splitting frame as on the other side.

The splitter is made in the following manner: The two centrally .crossing splitting wedges Q, Q, may be composed of a solid piece of cast-iron. There may be four or eight more wedges R (see also Fig. 3) by which it is contemplated that each quarter ofthe log, at the same time that it is quar- -tered by the central wedges will be split into three pieces, which last-mentioned splitting wedges are attached by spring bars S, Fig. 3, back of the central or crossed wedges to the inside of a hole T in the end piece or oval block B5 of the splitting frame B. The spring bars S are made wider as they approach the hole T in the oval end piece and when put together they form a box through which theffo-ur central pieces of the split log pass out of the machine. The two lower 'bars may be so much parted behind their wedges as to let the four central sticks dropY through. The two upper bars are made broad to prevent the sticks which pass Vabove from falling in between them.' Said Vsplitsticks may be-thrown to one or both sides. By having oneor more additional rounds of the yieldingwedges, on this same principle logs ofany' diameter jmay ,be split into small wood. The driver V fo-r driving the log through between thefwedges is made to slide `freelyfandv truly in the splitting frame, so as to drive thelogs against and through the splitters. The end of it that presses against the ends of the logs is dil vided into four parts, soas to admit it into or between the splitters, in order that it may push the four inside vor central sticks entirely throughV them as represented at u, Fig. 3.- It may be necessary tohave something additional on the driver for the purpose of pushing the outer sticks entirely beyond the edges of the splitters, so that the ends of those split may not by projecting through the splitters hinder the succeeding lo-gs from getting on the cradle. The driver is connected by a pitman p or link to an arm V projecting from a shaft W, to which the motive power may be applied. At the lower end of the inclined planes for conveying the logs to `the splitters is placed a yielding cradle Y for receiving the logs. This yielding cradle is made lowest in its middle, which stands opposite the vertical central splittingdwedge Q, so that'the logs Shall rest on said cradle with its center opposite said wedge. The logs may roll, or be carried on cars which will unload themselves and return, or on belts and rollers down the inclined planes from the saws to the cradle. The cradle is placed just so high that a log so small as to only need quartering resting on it would present the center of its end to the center of the crossing point of the cen-V tral wedges Q, Q.` The center then ofa leg of greater diameter would of course when lying on the cradle be above the edge of the central horizontal splitting wedge. The cradle is therefore made to yield downward by vhaving it supported on springs placed below it not sufficiently far by the weight of the logalone, but by the weight of the log, together with a little additionaly pressure applied by the attendant. For this purpose he can use his hand or foot (or if he pleasesV a lever 1or shaft. Rollers may likewise be arranged in the cradle forthe logs to lie on.. Vhen the machinery is intended to be portable neitherthe rail tracks nor-the splitting` establishment is framed into the sawing part of the machine. The reason is that their o-perations would be likely to jar and shake the sawing establishment so as to prevent that steadiness and trueness necessary in the operation of the saws. But when intended to be permanent and stationary, the whole framing may be united. In order to insure more trueness and steadiness to the motion of the saws the endsrof the saw frame may be inclosed incurved frames attached to and moving with it. These curved frames mayv extend and be braced together above and below the saws. They may also be braced backward into the saw-frame. They may also be inclos-ed so as to slide to and from the logs in fixed frames.

Several other variations of the machinery have'been contemplated which it may be necessary to mention, as only one plan will be shown in the drawings and be claimed in the specification.

1st. VThe saw lframe may be only half of that represented in the drawing (i. e., divided at the fixed center) and carrying only one saw instead of the two, which halfframe with its saw may turn on the stationary center, eitherover or under it, so as to move in either case alternately to a log on eachside of said center, or the machine may be adapted to but one log ata time. Or the saw may move in a circular or curved slide alternately between the logs, so as not to have any` connection with the stationary center, except by the straps by whichytheir Vshafts are geared together and that of the Vframe of the machine.

`Two saws placed opposite to each other andjcutting the opposite sides of the same log may be used, on the Same principle as .those shown in the drawing, except that theirshafts, or else their frames must be coupled together by a stirrup to prevent their coming into contact. In some places the gearing may be cog-wheels. The splitting establishment may likewise be varied in several particulars.

lst. In its connection with the sawing establishment and the motive power.

2nd. In the plans of the splitters, &c.

3rd. The mechanical power used for forcing or propelling the driver.

lst. It may be either connected with or separated from the sawing machine, and in either case they may both be propelled by one and the same motive power or each by its own separate power, that in the case of being separated. The distance of separation must be small. vWhen the distance of separation is anything considerable each must ofcourse be propelled by its own motive power.

2nd. In the plans of the splitters of these there are two contemplated in the drawing and either perhaps as good as it, and somewhat different in principle. For instance there may be an outer and an inner frame in which are placed horizontal and vertical splitters; they both pass through the inner frame to the outer and are both firmly fixed in both trames. The edged splitters may be coupled together by coupling bars. The edged bars may all yield from the center, moving in the inner frame from their several blocks or stops to permitthe passage of the sticks through between them, and when cleared of the sticks spring back to their places against the said blocks or stops. Also in having slabbing wedges or splitters, fixed on the rim or arms of a wheel turning on a vertical shaft on which are drivers on the thick or back part of the slabbing wedges intended for driving the slabs as they are split from the log through the splitters. The central splitter is xed firmly, both at and in the cap. Those on each side of the central one are firmly fixed in the sill and secured against yielding backward by a cap yielding outward on each side to permit the passage of the sticks and springing back when they are through to the blocks or stops. They must not, however, yield so much as to get into contact with the drivers. All the plans ot the yielding wedges may be fixed with springs in various ways, so as to answer the purpose.

These slabbing wedges may be placed either on a wheel or on the end of the driver. On the wheel it would operate by a sudden rapid heavy blow. On the driver it may operate either in this same way, or by a slow and strong pressure.

8rd. It may be varied several ways in the mechanical powers used for propelling the driver viz :-It may be such as that represented in the drawing. It maybe by a cog-wheel working in corresponding cogs on the stem of the driver. It may be a reacting screw, or lever, or it may be a crank and pitman.

For the purpose of regulating or equalizing the resistance in the process of splitting, there may be cogs or a rack set in the driver into which a pinion works, having an arm extending out from its shaft on which is placed whatever weight may be necessary, so that when the driver is being drawn bar k from the splitters it would be resisted by having to raise this weight, and when moving toward the splitters its force would be increased by the downward force of this weight.

There may be two splitting establishments to one sawing, e., one placed convenient to each saw instead of' one central to the logs from both saws. The splitting machine may be placed'horizontally, vertically, or

inclined and the logs in corresponding postures. It may stand on one side or be fiat. IVhat I claim as my invention and which I desire to secure by Letters Patent cone sists in- The before described combination and arrangement of the machinery for sawing with the machinery for splitting logs and other materials.

JOHN P. MCDOVVELL. Witnesses:

I B. yK. MORSELL, WVM. P. ELLIOT. 

